The digital fire of Kenya’s Gen-Z, which forged a political awakening in the streets of 2024, met the cold, hard reality of grassroots politics in the November 27th by-elections. For many young hopefuls, the race was a brutal lesson where idealism was swiftly challenged by the old guard's financial might and deep-rooted networks.

This was the first major test of whether the protest movement's energy could translate into electoral power. The results, however, paint a sobering picture of the immense gap between online activism and the unforgiving mechanics of winning votes 'kwa ground', revealing the steep climb ahead for any young person aspiring to lead.

In Kasipul, 26-year-old software developer Jeazmin Aoko, running as an independent, garnered just 26 votes. Her campaign, often conducted on foot or by boda boda, was a stark contrast to the high-powered convoys of her rivals. “It was difficult for me to go against people being sponsored by big and established political parties,” Aoko noted, adding that voters openly questioned her capacity to lead based on her age. Similarly, in Magarini, Amos Katana’s campaign, reliant on fundraising, ended with 192 votes.

The Shilling Wall: Where Idealism Meets Expense

The primary hurdle for these new entrants was the staggering cost of Kenyan politics. A 2021 report by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy highlighted that the more a candidate spends, the greater their chance of victory. This financial barrier effectively locks out capable candidates who lack significant resources.

The cost of simply contesting is immense, let alone winning. Analysts have broken down the average expenditure for a successful campaign, showing a system that favours the wealthy.

• Member of Parliament: An average of KES 18.2 million is required to win a seat.
• Woman Representative: A successful campaign costs around KES 22.8 million.
• Member of County Assembly (MCA): Even at the lowest level, candidates spend an average of KES 3.1 million.

This reality was not lost on the young candidates, who decried widespread voter bribery. “Once you auction democracy to the highest bidder, it becomes difficult for citizens to be heard or get development,” Katana warned. This transactional nature of politics, fueled by unregulated spending, remains a significant barrier for youth and women.

Party Power and Voter Apathy

Beyond finances, the by-elections reinforced the dominance of established political parties. The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its partner Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) swept nearly all the contested parliamentary seats, demonstrating the power of their grassroots structures. For independents like Aoko, this meant fighting a lonely battle.

Ironically, despite their vocal calls for change online, many Gen-Z voters were absent on polling day. Voter turnout was dismally low across the country, often below 40%. Commentators suggest this reflects a deep disillusionment, with many young people seeing the elections as irrelevant battles for supremacy between political elites, disconnected from their immediate concerns. A recent survey noted that distrust in the electoral process and failure to register remain major barriers for young voters.

Despite the crushing results, the young contenders are unbowed. They frame the experience not as a failure, but as an invaluable education. Aoko described her first campaign as a “classroom” and vowed to return in 2027. Zena Haluwa, who received 48 votes in Chewani ward, echoed this sentiment with forward-looking resolve. “Forty-eight people believed in me,” she stated. “If 48 can become 480 in 2027, then 480 can become victory.”